Director of Operations

Join Southwest Foodservice Excellence

Ready to change the world? At SFE, we are fueling students to take on their school day one meal at a time, and we need YOU to help bring those healthy, great tasting meals to their plates every day. We are passionate about delicious food, creating a customized experience for each of our districts and schools, bringing innovation to the table and being compassionate leaders to our teams. If you're looking for a career that can truly make an impact on a child's day, we want to meet you!

Lead the operational and financial success of an assigned portfolio of school districts by driving exceptional performance, delivering outstanding dining experiences, and ensuring operational excellence across every location.

You Will:

• Lead the operational, financial, and regulatory performance of assigned school district accounts, ensuring achievement of budget, labor, food cost, inventory, USDA compliance, and contractual objectives through regular site visits and operational reviews.
• Evaluate cafeteria operations, implement performance improvement plans, and oversee merchandising, meal service, inventory accuracy, and overall operational efficiency.
• Manage client accounts by serving as the primary operational contact for school district leadership, including superintendents, business officials, and school administrators, while providing regular business and operational updates.
• Develop annual operating budgets, analyze weekly and monthly financial performance, review profit and loss statements, and implement strategies to achieve financial and operational goals.
• Recruit, train, develop, and oversee Food Service Directors, provide leadership support for vacant or underperforming accounts, and participate in the hiring and selection process for key operational positions.
• Support business growth through participation in prospective account surveys, client presentations, board meetings, account transitions, and other operational initiatives as assigned.

You Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Restaurant Management, Institutional Management, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive foodservice management experience as a Food Service Director, District Manager, Director of Operations, or equivalent multi-unit leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-site foodservice operations with accountability for financial performance, labor management, food cost, inventory control, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience developing operating budgets, analyzing financial statements, and achieving profit and loss objectives.
• Experience recruiting, hiring, training, and managing Food Service Directors and operational leadership teams.
• Working knowledge of USDA regulations, school nutrition programs, and K-12 foodservice operations preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout an assigned territory to support school district operations.
• Reports directly to the Regional Vice President of Field Operations and is accountable for the operational and financial performance of assigned districts.

Key SFE (Southwest Foodservice Excellence) Benefits:

At SFE, we believe great work starts with great people. That's why we offer Monday–Friday, day‑shift schedules, competitive pay, and a benefits package designed to support your life — both at work and at home.

Eligible employees enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, a 401(k) with pre‑tax and Roth options, employer‑contributed Health Savings Accounts, and access to wellness tools like Telemedicine and an Employee Assistance Program. We also offer employee discounts and flexible options when life changes.

If you're looking for stability, work‑life balance, and a company that truly invests in its people, SFE may be the perfect fit.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled and participates with E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program